football superstars
Mbappé and Neymar – PSG ignites the next level of escalation
Status: 2:57 p.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
Not in the squad at the start of the season: Neymar (left) and Mbappé
What: AP/Christophe Ena
Paris Saint-Germain seems set on getting rid of the next big stars after Lionel Messi. Three are not in the squad for the first game of the season. In addition, the French commit a former Dortmunder for 50 million euros.
France’s superstar Kylian Mbappé is missing on Saturday (9 p.m.) at the season opener of the French soccer champions Paris Saint-Germain against FC Lorient. The 24-year-old was not called into the squad by new coach Luis Enrique, nor were Neymar and Marco Verratti. It has been rumbling between Mbappé and PSG for weeks. Because the exceptional kicker had declared that he did not want to change this summer. Since the 24-year-old has refused to extend his contract, which runs until 2024, there is a risk of a free transfer next summer, as Lionel Messi has just done to Inter Miami.
According to L’Équipe, the French international is training in Paris with the group of players with whom the club is no longer planning for the new season. This should also include the 58-time German international Julian Draxler, who is also not there against Lorient.
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As “L’Équipe” reported, PSG had made it clear that without selling the midfielder this summer, the club’s finances and the rules of financial fair play could not be met. Mbappé, who had already missed the preparatory trip to Japan and South Korea, had been traded several times as a potential newcomer to Real Madrid.
Neymar trained alone on Friday as he recovered from a viral infection, the club said. But according to media reports, PSG are no longer planning with the 31-year-old Brazilian. Accordingly, Enrique and sports director Luis Campos announced on Wednesday Neymar, Marco Verratti (30), Hugo Ekitike (21) and ex-Bayern professional Juan Bernat (30) that they no longer have a future with the champions. According to “L’Équipe”, Neymar’s contract in Paris, which should bring him 30 million a year, runs until 2027. However, Neymar’s father only denied his son’s possible departure on Tuesday.
Dembele signs for five years
Verratti, 30, who has played in PSG’s midfield for 11 years, has been linked with a move to the lucrative Saudi Arabian league. The new PSG coach Luis Enrique had spoken to both Neymar and Verratti and said on Friday: “My decisions will clearly express my views.”
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The transfer of an offensive star should also count as a pointer to Neymar and Mbappé. The transfer of French Ousmane Dembele from FC Barcelona was made perfect on Saturday. Barcelona will receive 50.4 million euros for the former Borussia Dortmund player. The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract.
Dembélé, who joined the Catalans from BVB for well over €100m in 2017, scored 62 goals in 185 games for Barcelona and helped FC Barcelona win three Spanish league titles and two cup titles. The French international scored six goals in 32 games for BVB.
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2023-08-12 14:38:40
#Mbappé #Neymar #PSG #ignites #level #escalation #WORLD
